My most, um, memorable train trip is rocking up at the train station in Nong Khai a couple of hours before departure, thinking we could get a sleeper berth. Needless to say, we'd badly miscalculated, and spent a 14 hour overnight trip, on a rock hard seated bench in 3rd class. This was pre-coup and the Thai men spent most of the trip drinking between the carriages and the conductor flirted wildy with my friend by showing her pictures of (dead) people whose fallen out of trains... My contact lenses glued to my eyeballs, the Israeli guys across the aisle took it in turns sleeping under their seats, and of course the Thai couple opposite us whose knees we were trying not to touch with our own, giggled at us the entire night. Needless to say, 10 years on it's actually one of my favourite travel memories!
I got it right on trip a couple of years ago, booked way in advance, fell asleep just out of Bangkok and woke up at sunrise in the jungle outside of Trang - magical!
I understand that planes can be quicker when you're on a time limit, but will always choose train travel if I have the option!
It is true that some trains may have been booked up if left to the last minute but I have never had problems myself booking a few days in advance (holiday periods excepted). I must say that some time ago I looked at the comparative cost of train and flying and Air Asia would have charged me nearly as much as the train (second class sleeper) for my luggage (20Kg). If Taking the slow route north which I highly recommend just remember that the trains may not be as comfortable as the overnight sleepers unless you travel on the express diesel railcars but the local trains are highly recommended as way of meeting the local people and a very enjoyable experience (usually)
My most, um, memorable train trip is rocking up at the train station in Nong Khai a couple of hours before departure, thinking we could get a sleeper berth. Needless to say, we'd badly miscalculated, and spent a 14 hour overnight trip, on a rock hard seated bench in 3rd class. This was pre-coup and the Thai men spent most of the trip drinking between the carriages and the conductor flirted wildy with my friend by showing her pictures of (dead) people whose fallen out of trains... My contact lenses glued to my eyeballs, the Israeli guys across the aisle took it in turns sleeping under their seats, and of course the Thai couple opposite us whose knees we were trying not to touch with our own, giggled at us the entire night. Needless to say, 10 years on it's actually one of my favourite travel memories!
I got it right on trip a couple of years ago, booked way in advance, fell asleep just out of Bangkok and woke up at sunrise in the jungle outside of Trang - magical!
I understand that planes can be quicker when you're on a time limit, but will always choose train travel if I have the option!
It is true that some trains may have been booked up if left to the last minute but I have never had problems myself booking a few days in advance (holiday periods excepted). I must say that some time ago I looked at the comparative cost of train and flying and Air Asia would have charged me nearly as much as the train (second class sleeper) for my luggage (20Kg). If Taking the slow route north which I highly recommend just remember that the trains may not be as comfortable as the overnight sleepers unless you travel on the express diesel railcars but the local trains are highly recommended as way of meeting the local people and a very enjoyable experience (usually)